Sinker operating means for knitting machines



April 16, 1940. E. PELOQUIN 2,197,706

SINKER OPERAT ING MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR EDWARD PELOQUIN BY HIS ATTORNEYS A i1 ,'194o;"- EPELQ umJ 2,197,706

SINKBR OPERATING MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR v BY HIS ATTORNEYS EDWARD PELOQ'UIN April i949- E.'PELOQU|N v 1 ,1 7,706

SINKER OPERATING MEANS FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed April 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTOR EDWARD PELOQUI-N BY HIS ATTORNEYS Patented p 16, 1940 I I 2,197,706

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SINKER OPERATING MEANS FOR KNITTING f MACHINES Edward Peloquin, Elizabeth City, N. 0., assignor' to Scott & Williams, Incorporated; New York,

N. Y., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 25, 193s, Serial No. 204,166

10 Claims .(Cl. 66 49) This invention relates to machines for knitting standards 55!] projecting from the latch guard hosiery having reinforced portions, as at a high ring 550. Push rods 460 operated by cams on thesplice and the sole, and more particularly to main pattern drum I20 control operations of the means for operating sinkers in such machines and yarn fingers F F etc., to present and withdraw 5 it is an object of this invention to provide a the yarns from the needles.

sinker operating means arranged to so operate In the arrangement shown the yarn finger F the sinkers in relation to the needles taking the supplies the main or body yarn to the needles and reinforcing yarn in the knittingv of a course that its pu Sh rO 450 is p a y t usu l Ca s on the sinker wales are lengthened at such needles the main pattern drum I20. The yarn finger F ii) so as to render the knitting of the main and reinfeeds the reinforcing yarn for the high splice and forcing yarns easier and without danger of cutdouble sole to the needles and as this yarn is fed ting or breaking the yarns. It is a further object for only-a portion of each revolution in which it is of this invention to provide a fsinker operating introduced to the needles means are provided for means which operates the sinliers as described p a-ting its pus rod 450 during each of a D irrespective of changes in the number f dl s rality of revolutions of the needle cylinder. The 15 taking the reinforcing yarn in a course and which push rod 460 for the yarn finger F1 is Provided does not operate the sinkers adjacent the needles with a proj 1 0 adjacent its lower end not taking the reinforcing yarn. and positioned to be engaged by one end of a In the drawings: lever 26 pivotally mounted on a bracket 27 supgo Fig. 1 is a partial view in elevation of a Scott po ted from the machine frame A. The other 'and Williams machine for knitting hosiery havend of the lever 26 is posit ned to be e g e by ing a tapered high splice and a reinforced sole and n e d of a level 23 pivetelly mounted on re D which is equipped with sinker operating means in 29 fixed in a movable supp r in d 39- .The accordance with this invention; other end portion of the lever 28 is recessed, as at 35 Fig. 2 is a partial top plan view of the structure 28, a short distance inwardly from the end of shown in Fig.1, some parts being broken away to the lever to receive a cam 32 mounted on a lever show other parts more clearly. 34 and'has a projecting cam engaging portion Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in elevation show- 28 positioned to be engaged by the cam 32. The ing part of the mechanism for operating the finlever 34 is p v y mellnted On a P n 36 fi e in ger for the reinforcing yarn and the sinkers du the frame A and at its outer end carries a roller 30 ing each revolution of the needle cylinder in the 3 W c s held y a Spring 38 n engagement knittingof a high splice and a reinforced sole; w h a Cam 0 fixed On the main drive Shaft 21 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view in elevation show- The rod 30 has one-end pivotally connected to ing part of the means for adjusting the operation an e of a link Support 42 Which is pivetally of the yarn finger and sinker operating means for mounted at its other end on the pin 3 Adl'aeent different lengths of reinforcing; its other end the rod 38 is slotted, as at 30 to re- Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view in elevation showceive a supp p 44 Wh s u te in a ing part of the operating means for the yarn bracket carried by the frame A and at its end the Y finger for the reinforcing yarn and the ratchet r d 0 as, ju y mounted n, a p n wheel of Fig. 4; and 30 which engages a cam 46. vThe cam 46 and a Fig. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view of the ratchet wheel 48 to which it is fixed are rotatably sinker ring and needle cylinder. mounted on the pin 44 and are operated bya pawl In the drawings. the invention is shown in con- 50 which is connected to the lever 34 to be op'ernection with a Scott and Williamscircular knitated thereby and is held in contact with the ting machine, only such parts of the machine beratchet wheel 48 by a spring 52. A spring pawl or ing shown as are necessary to illustrate the indetent 54 mounted on an arm 55 fixed on the pin vention. As shown, a bedplate B mounted on a 44 and engaging the ratchet wheel 48 prevents frame A supports a needle cylinder 260 having lreverse rotation of the ratchet wheel 48 and cam needles N and operated by gearing, not shown; 6-

so from the main drive shaft 20 which rotates syn- The cam 40 bein fi 0n the main drive S aft chronously with the needle cylinder. A dial D, 20 rotates in synchronism with the needle cylindriven'in the usual manner from the main drive der 260 and operates the lever 34 once for each shaft by a suitable driving means, not shown, is revolution of the needle cylinder, causing the also provided. Yarn fingers F F etc., are pivpawl 50 to be operated to advance the ratchet l otally supported on a pin 2| mounted in the wheel 48 and cam 46 step by step with each revoends with respect to the cams on the levers 34 and 11, respectively, and changes the period during which the cams 32 and 16 move in the recesses in the levers, thus changing the extent of the portion of a revolution of the needle cylinder during which the reinforcing yarn is fed to the needles and the sinkers are held in the advanced position.

In, the knitting of a stocking, which in the machine shown is knit beginning at the top, the push rod 460 is held in raised position by a. cam IN on the main pattern drum I20 and holds the reinforcing yarn finger F out of action during the knitting of the stocking top and .leg. During this time the push rod 462 is also held in raised position by a cam l 2| and the slide 10 is held retracted by the engagement of the lug 462 on the push rod 462 with the lever I4, and the sinkers s are not advanced to their inner positions. During the knitting of the top and leg the pawl 50 rides on the cam 48 on the ratchet 48 and the ratchet 48 and cam 46 remain in position for starting the reinforcing of the high splice with the pin on the surface 46 of the cam 46. Operation of the main pattern drum I20 rotates the gear 56 and'advances the pin 59 thereon towards the abutment 60 on the ratchet 48. At the beginning of the high splice a racking movement of the main pattern drum shifts the cams l2l from be neath the push rods 460 and 462. Lowering the push rod 460 lowers the reinforcing yarn finger F to present the reinforcing yarn to the needles and positions the thrustrod 460 to be operated by the lever 26 from the cam 40 by means of the lever 28. Lowering the thrust rod 462 removes the abutment 462 from the lever I4 and permits the spring 8| to lower the rod 13 and operate the slide 10 to shift the sinker operating cam 306 to a position for advancing the sinkers. Lowering the lever '14 places this lever in position to be operated from the cam 40 by the lever 15. The yarn finger F and sinker operating cam 306 are, accordingly, placed in operative position by the cam' 40 for a portion of each revolution of the needle cylinder.

Knitting of the reinforced portion or high splice continues with the pin 3,0 resting on the cam surface 46 of the cam 46 and causing the reinforced portion to be of unform width until a further racking movement of the main pattern drum I20 brings the pin. 59 on gear 56 into engagement with the abutment 60 on ratchet 48 and shifts ratchet 48'to move cam surface 48 past the pawl 50 so that pawl 50 operates the ratchet 48 and cam 46 with a step by step motion. The portion 46 of the surface of the cam 46 is moved from beneath the pin 30 by the operation of the ratchet 48 by the pin 59 and upon movement of the surface 46 from the pin 30 the pin engages surfaces of different radii causing the rod 30 to shift, carrying with it the levers 28 and 15 and changing the relation of these levers to the levers 34 and TI to produce a step by step increase in the portion of each revolution of the needle cylinder during which the yarn finger F and the sinker operating earn 306 are held in their operative positions and a gradual widening of the reinforced portion or high splice. The operation of the ratchet 48 and cam 46 by the pawl 50 gradually advances the abutment on ratchet 48 away from the pin 59 on gear 56 and brings the pin 30 in rod 30 onto the cam surface 46 and the ratchet 48 to a position where the pawl 50 rides on the cam surface 48. Several courses are knit with reinforced portions of uniform width while the pin 30 is on the surface 46 and the main pattern drum I20 is then racked for the knitting of the heel bringing cams I23 on the drum I20 beneath the push rods 460' and 462 and raising the yarn finger F to withdraw the reinforcing yarn from the needles and through the abutment 462 on push rod 462 operating the lever 14 and;

the rod 13 to retract the slide 10 from the sinker operating cam 306. As the pawl 50 rides on the cam surface 48 the ratchet 48 and cam 46 remain stationary throughout the knitting of the heel.

The rack of the main pattern drum I20 for the knitting of the heel advances the pin 59 on gear 56 towards the abutment 60 on ratchet 48 and upon the main pattern drum being racked at the finish of the kniting of the heel the pin 59 engages the abutment 60 and shifts the ratchet 48 to move the cam surface 48 from beneath the pawl 50 and permits the pawl 50 to again operate the ratchet 48 and cam 46. This rack of the main pattern drum I20 shifts the cams 123 from beneath the push rods 460 and 462 and returns the reinforcing yarn finger F and the sinker operating 7 cam 306 to the control of cam 40 and the reinforcing yarn is fed to the needles for the reinforcing of the sole portion, the loops being lengthened at the needles taking the reinforcing yarn by the operation of the sinkers by the cam 306. The pin 30 rides on the cam surface 46 during the knitting of several courses so that a reinforced. portion of uniform width is knit and the pin 30* then passes to cam surfaces of different radii causing a shifting of the rod 80 and levers 28 and 15 with respect to -the levers 34 and H and a step by step narrowing of the reinforced portion of the sole takes place until the pin 30 passes onto the surface 46 of the cam 46. As

the pin 30* passes onto the surface 46 the pawl 50 rides on the cam surface 48, stopping the rotation of the ratchet 4 8 and cam 46. As the pin 30 passes onto the surface 46 the pin 62 on the 1 ratchet 48 passes over the dog 64 and permits the dog 64 to rise in back in position to engage the pin 62. The knitting of the sole continues with the pin 30 engaging the cam surface 46 and causing a reinforced portion of uniform width to be knit and the sinker operating earn 306. to

tion of the sole continues until a movement of the main drum for the knitting of the toe'places the cams l2! beneath the push rods 460 and 462 to raise the reinforcing yarn finger F to withdraw accordingly. The widening of the reinforced porthe reinforcing yarn from the needles and, by

means of abutment 462* and lever 14, to raise the rod l3 and hold the slide 10 from the sinker operating cam 306. The rotation of the ratchet 48 and cam 46 by the pawl 50 continues during the knitting of the toe until the pawl 50 rides on the cam surface 48 and stops furthenmovement of the ratchet 48 and cam 46 with the ratchet and cam in position for beginning of the knitting of the high splice of the next stocking.

While the use of a single reinforcing yarn has been shown and described it is to be understood that different reinforcing yarns may be used in the high splice and sole, the yarns being fed from each time a reinforcing yarn is presented to the needles and controlled with the reinforcing yarn of courses of the fabric, means operating said sinkers to cause the longer loops 'to be drawn by'the needles taking the reinforcing yarn, each of said operating means comprising cooperating aie'a'zoe cooperating cam. surfaces of both operating means to vary the number of needles taking the reinforcing yarn and the number of sinkers causing the longer loops to be drawn in the knitber of sinkers causing needles to draw the longer loops in accordance with variations-in the number of needles taking the reinforcing yarn.

8. In a circular knitting machinaryarn fingers g finger to lengthen the loops drawn by needles t ng of a c urse, and e s o Operating Said 5,

taking the reinforcing yarn. am S p y P- What is claimed is: 5. In a circular knitting machine, yam

1. In a circular knitting machine having means for feeding main d e nfo g 17 m the for knitting fabric of a main or body yarn, need es, m s Op a g Sa d reinfolfiiflg 9 w means for feeding reinforcing yarn to the needles finger to feed y m t0 needles in each 3 P ll) during the knitting of a plurality of courses of rality of courses, means for adjusting said operatthe fabric, means operating said feeding means, ing means to pOSit n Said y m finger m feed meanscontrolling said operating means to vary reinforcing yarn to difierent numbers of neeflim step by step the number of needles taking the in different courses, sinkers overwhich loops are m reinforcing yarn in the knitting of a course, drawn by the-needles, said sinkersbeingonerable sinkers over which the loops are drawn by the to positions for the drawing of loops of different needles, said sinkers having positions for causing lengths by said needles, means for operating the needles to draw loops of difierent lengths, sinkers to their position for the drawing of loops I means operating sinkers to cause the longer loops of the greater length by the needles taking the g@ to be drawn by the needles taking the reinforcing reinforcing yarn comprising a cam for engaging as yarn, said sinker operating means operating indethe sinkers, a lever for operating said Cam, 2. h'nk n n ly f s id yarn f d operating means and connected to said lever, a second lever connected means for adjusting said sinker operating means to said link, means for operating said second in accordance with changes in the number of lever, and means for adjusting the operation of needles taking the reinforcing yarnsaid sinker operating means to vary the n 25 2. In a circular knitting machine having means of sinkers causing needles to draw the longer for knitting fabric of a main or body yarn, means loops i a ordance with variations in the number for feeding a reinforcing yarn, means operating f needles taking the reinf rcin y said feeding means to feed 'the reinforcing yarn 6, I a, circular knitting machine, yarn fingers w to the needles'during the knitting of a plurality for feeding m m and reinforcing yarns to the of courses of the fabric, sinkers over which the needles,means for operating said reinforcingyarn loops are drawn by the needles, said sinkers finger to feed yam t needles i h of mhaving positions for causing the needles to draw rality of courses, means for adjusting said operloops of different lengths, means operating sinkating means t vary step b step the number of 5 ers to cause the longer loops to be drawn by dl taking aid reinforcing yarn in difierent the needles taking the reinforcing yarn, said courses, sinkers over which w drawn by sinker operating means operating independently the needles, said sinkers being operable to posiof said yarn feed operating means. means for tions for the drawing of loops of djfierent lengths adjusting each of said operating means to vary by said needles, means for operating sink r to w the number of needles taking the reinforcing their position for the drawing of loops of the a yarn and the number of sinkers causing the greater length by the needles taking the longer loops :to be drawn in the knitting of a f ci g yam comprising a for en the course and-means for simultaneously operating sinkers, a lever for operating-said a li k sald a i mean? sifep by P- connected to said lever, a second lever connected $5 3. acircular kmtting machine having means to Said fink, means fo operating saidvsewnd u for knitting fabric of a mainor body yarn, means lever and meansfor adjusfing the-operafion f for feeding a reinforcing yarn, sinkers over which said ginker operating means t vary th umb the loops .are drawn by the needles, said sinkers of sinkers causing needles draw'the longer'loops having 1 causing the needles to draw in accordance with variations in the number of so loops of difierentlengthsmeansoperatmg said needles taking the reinforcingm 5o feeding means to feed reinforcing yarn to the 7 In a circular knitting machine yam fin ers needles ,during the knitting of a plurality of for feeding mam and reinforc ng yarns to the courses of the fabric, means operating said smkneedles .means f "operafing said rei forcing ,ers to cause the longer loops to be drawn by the jam fillger to feed yam to needles in each of a w needles taking the reinforcing yarn, each of said plurality of courses adjusting means for said operating means comprising cooperating cam operating mans com'prising cam and means surfaces, and means for relatively shifting said operating said cam to vary Step b t the mung cooperating cam surfaces of both'operating of needles taking said, Reinforcing m in means to vary step by step the number of needles diflerent courses, sinkers over which loops w tallnkng the reinfrlncmgyarn iand the number of drawn bylthe needles, Said sinkersbeing 0mm; 7 g e Qnger P t be drawn. topo sitions for the drawing of loops of different -i k i of a lengths by said needles, means for operating 4. Ina circular knitting machine having means sinkers t their position'for t drawing of loops for knitting fabric of a main or body yarn, 1 th greater 1ength by th needles takin the means for feeding a reinforcing yarn, sinkers reinforcing yarn comprising a cam for engaging over which the loops are drawn by the needles, the sinkers, a lever for operating said cam, a. said sinkers having positions causing the needles link connected tosaid lever, a second lever-con- 'to draw loops of different lengths, means operat- -nected to said link, means for operating said secing said feedingmeans to feed reinforcing yarn ond lever, and means for adjusting the operation to to the needles during the knitting of a plurality of said sinker operating means to vary the mint-.70

- ya cam surfaces, a cam for relatively shifting said f0 feeding main and reinforcing yarns totheu needles, operating means for positioning said reinforcing yarn finger to feed yarn to needles in each of'a plurality of courses, adjusting means 'for said operating means comprising cooperating cam surfaces and means for relatively shifting said cam surfaces to vary step by step the num ber of needles taking the reinforcing yarn in different courses, sinkers over which loops are drawn by the needles, said sinkers being operable to positions for the drawing of loops of different lengths by said needles, means for operating sinkers to their position for the drawing of loops of the greater length by the needles taking the reinforcing yarn comprising a cam for engaging the sinkers, a lever for operating said cam, a link connected to said lever, a second lever connected to said link, means for operating said second lever, and means for adjusting the operation of said sinker operating means to vary the number of sinkers causing needles to draw the longer loops in accordance with variations in the number of needles taking the reinforcing yarn.

9. In a circular knitting machine, yarn fingers for feeding main and reinforcing yarns to the needles, operating means for positioning said reinforcing yarn finger to feed yarn to needles in each of a plurality of courses, adjusting means for said operating means comprising cooperating cam surfaces and a cam for relatively shifting said cooperating cam surfaces to vary step by step the number of needles taking the reinforcing yarn in different courses, sinkers over which loops are drawn by the needles, said sinkers being taking the reinforcing operable to positions for the drawing of loops of different lengths by said needles, means for operating sinkers to their position for the drawing of loops of the greater length by the needles taking the reinforcing yarn comprising a cam for engaging the sinkers, a lever for operating said cam, a link connected to said lever, a second lever connected to said link means for operating said second lever, andmeans for adjusting the operation of said sinker operating means to vary the number of sinkers causingneedles to draw the longer loops in accordance with variations in the number of needles taking the reinforcing.

yarn.

10. In a circular knitting machine having means for knitting fabric of a main or body yarn, means for feeding reinforcing yarn to the needles during the knitting of a plurality of courses of the fabric, means, including a push rod, for operating said feeding means, means controlling said operating means to vary step by step the number of needles taking the reinforcing yarn in the knitting of a course, sinkers over which the loops are drawn by .the needles, said sinkers having positions for causing the needles to draw loops of different lengths, means, in-.

cluding a push rod, for operating sinkers to cause the longer loops -to be drawn by the needles taking the reinforcing yarn and means for adjusting said sinker operating means in accordance with changes in the number of needles yarn. EDWARD PELOQUIN. 

